Trivial Trivia - taking trivia to new levels

[Gene C]

Which two characters in the saga reportedly occasionally enjoyed a game of "mumble-the-peg*" together?

If a player "sticks" the knife in his own foot, he wins the game by default, although few players find this option appealing because of the possibility of bodily harm. There are many variants of the basic game.)

I'll guess General's Dan Sickles and Richard Ewell
(they both had wooden legs)

[Eva Elisabeth]

Most logical guess, Gene, but kudos to both Rogers - Stanton is one of them. And another kudos to Rogerm. for correctly figuring what the two players had in common. (Hence, the missing one is not William Seward.)

[Eva Elisabeth]

Hint #2: The other person was someone from whom we know a lot about Abraham Lincoln.

[Houmes]

Hint #2: The other person was someone from whom we know a lot about the Lincolns.

William O. Stoddard

[Anita]

Homer Bates

"Stanton had a deserved reputation for irascibility but he also had a softer side, as revealed by an incident reported by Homer Bates, who worked in the War Department’s telegraph office: “One evening, in the summer of 1864, I rode out to the Soldiers Home with important dispatches for the President and Secretary of War, who were temporarily domiciled with their families on the grounds of the Home. I found Stanton reclining on the grass, playing with Lewis, one of his children ..He invited me to a seat on the greensward while he read the telegrams; and then, business being finished, we began talking of early times in Steubenville, Ohio, his native town and mine. One of us mentioned the game of ‘mumble-the-peg,’ and he asked me if I could play it. Of course I said yes, and he proposed that we should have a game then and there. Stanton entered into the spirit of the boyish sport with great zest , and for the moment all the perplexing questions of the terrible war were forgotten. I do not remember who won.'”9" http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/resi...1814-1869/

[Eva Elisabeth]

Hint #2: The other person was someone from whom we know a lot about the Lincolns.

William O. Stoddard

Excellent guess, Dr. Houmes, while Stoddard may well have done, too, he was not from Steubenville.

I have to apologize for my perhaps misleading last hint - although not entirely wrong I should better have written "Abraham Lincoln" as the main focus (and have "updated" above).

Hint #3: The reminiscence of the other that is my source has a game of m-t-p happening after a "business meeting".

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Homer Bates

"Stanton had a deserved reputation for irascibility but he also had a softer side, as revealed by an incident reported by Homer Bates, who worked in the War Department’s telegraph office: “One evening, in the summer of 1864, I rode out to the Soldiers Home with important dispatches for the President and Secretary of War, who were temporarily domiciled with their families on the grounds of the Home. I found Stanton reclining on the grass, playing with Lewis, one of his children ..He invited me to a seat on the greensward while he read the telegrams; and then, business being finished, we began talking of early times in Steubenville, Ohio, his native town and mine. One of us mentioned the game of ‘mumble-the-peg,’ and he asked me if I could play it. Of course I said yes, and he proposed that we should have a game then and there. Stanton entered into the spirit of the boyish sport with great zest , and for the moment all the perplexing questions of the terrible war were forgotten. I do not remember who won.'”9" http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/resi...1814-1869/

Kudos, Anita, that is correct! (Also see: David Homer Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 397-98.)

Since knives aren't to be given away as gifts (said they will cut the ties that bind a friendship together), instead a game set of m-t-p you win the allegorical and less dangerous version:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnSfFQdrNo

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...alternatively - if you are up to dance:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mUQHGpxrz-8 (Such a pity Sir Simon is leaving Berlin...)

[Anita]

Eva, thank you! Can I have both prizes? Sometimes a saber is more effective than a knife!

[Eva Elisabeth]

Sure (as long as your are not referring to cutting friendship ties...)

[Eva Elisabeth]

This is not a witness tree but a witness rose bush. What or whom did it witness?
   

[RJNorton]

The wrestling match between Abraham Lincoln and Jack Armstrong?

[Eva Elisabeth]

An outstanding guess, Roger, I'm sorry to say not correct. The rose Bush witnessed none of that party and event.

Hint #1: This question would also fit in the "Assassination Trivia" category.

[RJNorton]

This rose bush overlooks the Navy Yard Bridge where Booth and Herold crossed?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Another excellent idea, Roger, but it's not there either - and it is still where it was then.

Hint #2: It witnessed a person rather than a special event.

[RJNorton]

OK, here's another guess. Over two years ago you told the forum about your trip to Ft. Jefferson. And maybe you took a photo of a rose bush that saw Dr. Samuel Mudd?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Roger, your ideas are truly outstanding. It didn't witness Dr. Mudd, but you are right in the assumption that I saw the place.

Hint #3: I missed to take a photo myself, however, the rose bush is unique and to be found online.